Dresden Fortress and Bruehl's Terrace

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Bruehl's Terrace was created for the influential court favourite Heinrich of Bruehl. This Dresden landmark, originally a defensive structure, was turned into a place where people could stroll and was named "The Balcony of Europe" because here people from all over the world met. The panoramic view of the Elbe and the white steamboats is an essential part of any visit to Dresden.

Dresden Fortress and Bruehl's Terrace

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Today’s Bruehl’s Terrace forms the side of the former Dresden Fortress that faces the Elbe river. The fortress construction with four bastions and the first brick gate - built under Duke George the Bearded from 1519 to 1529 - followed the medieval town wall.

Today, Bruehl’s Terrace is mostly covered by the city’s built-up area; however, underneath Bruehl’s Terrace it is possible to see the fortress's adaptation to modern military advances, especially around the former brick gate.

In 1739, the Count of Bruehl had a palace built on the fortifications and a garden created. The steps on the side of the Schlossplatz (Castle Square) were constructed from 1811 to 1814. The groups of sculptures titled "Four periods of day" by Johannes Schilling were erected between 1868 and 1871.